Support the New S-2 version of Ordinance 64

from Equality Works

No more public hearings! Thanks to all of you who sat through hour after hour of tiring and hurtful testimony over the last two months. As hard as it was, I think it would have been much harder to do without feeling a sense of connection with others in the room who support equality. Over the weeks, people started to recognize familiar faces and strike up friendships and other forms of political collaboration that might last for a long time. So while we might wish that we hadn't had to sit through all the hearings, I hope that we have emerged from it with a better understanding of who makes up the LGBT community and a greater appreciation for the allies who stuck with us over the months.

As we move into August, and into a new (hopefully shorter) phase of this campaign, here are a few things you can do to bring Equality to Anchorage:

Call or E-Mail Mayor Sullivan and Write a Letter to the Editor - Mayor Sullivan needs to know that people in Anchorage support equality, he needs to know why you support equality, and he needs to hear that vetoing an ordinance to protect LGBT people from discrimination sends the message that he, as the Mayor of Anchorage, believes that LGBT people should be discriminated against in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. If he doesn't want to send that message, then he should not veto this ordinance.

Please call or e-mail Mayor Sullivan mayor(at)muni(dot)org or call (907) 343-7170 or (907) 343-7100. Be respectful. No one responds positively to insults, accusations, or anger. And if you've already contacted the mayor, revise your letter accordingly and send it to the Anchorage Daily News. [Note: feel free to send a copy to Bent Alaska for posting on the blog.]

Call or E-mail your Assembly members and ask them to support the New S-2 version of the ordinance - An S-2 version of the ordinance has been submitted for consideration by Patrick Flynn. (Read the .pdf HERE.) We believe that this is a strong revision that acknowledges the concerns of some in the religious community by broadening the religious exemption, but does not weaken the original intention of the ordinance to protect LGBT people from discrimination. It includes employment protections for our entire community--including transgender individuals. Please call or e-mail your Assembly members and tell them to put their support behind the S-2 version.

Attend the August 11th Meeting - The next Assembly meeting is August 11th. While the agenda has not been officially set, this may be the day that Assembly members get to a debate and vote on AO 64. It would be great to have as many supporters as possible inside the Assembly Chambers so that they can see how many people care about this issue. You know the drill: Blue shirts, Equality Works buttons. We will keep you posted once the agenda is set and/or if plans change. Thanks & Remember: Equality Works!